Start with the bites — but don't stop there
Bed bug bites often appear in lines or clusters on skin that was exposed while sleeping. But bites alone can't confirm bed bugs: other insects bite, and some people don't react to bed bug bites at all. Treat bites as a reason to look closer, not as proof.
Check the places they actually hide
Pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, especially at the corners. Look for small dark spots (digested blood), shed skins, and tiny pale eggs. Then check the headboard, bed frame joints, baseboards behind the bed, and any furniture within a few feet of where you sleep.
A flashlight and an old credit card dragged along seams will turn up more than a quick glance. Live bugs are about the size of an apple seed, flat, and reddish-brown.
What not to do
Don't start sleeping in another room — bed bugs follow you, and the infestation spreads. Don't fog or bomb the room; over-the-counter foggers scatter bed bugs deeper into walls and furniture without reaching them. And don't throw out the mattress yet: most infestations can be treated without discarding furniture, and a dragged mattress can spread bugs through the building.
When to bring in a professional
If you find live bugs, eggs, or the dark spotting described above, it's time for an inspection. Bed bug treatment always starts with confirming the scope — how many rooms, how far spread — because the right treatment depends on it. At Peski, every bed bug case starts with an in-person inspection by a licensed technician, documented with photos, before any treatment is recommended.